powerbook repair needed

I need recommendations on where to take my computer for repair.
I have a 17" Apple powerbook G4 and a few weeks ago now, the sound stopped working completely. Speakers don't work. Headphones don't work.
Any recommendations or tips are appreciated.

Eartha Kitt is dead.

I Am The Chaos Engine.

My power for disinformation is still strong. I was talking about different subjects - food styles with generational color palates - the emotional phenomenon of holidays in general - without explaining my tendency to mash up things into one nice information heap of thought. I didn't realize how I was sounding until I noticed the confused look on someone's face trying to follow me and I had to step back several subjects, as I often do, to explain how I got from point A to point C and F and G simultaneously.

Imagine how hard that is for MonsterMustDie, who is dyslexic already, to live with.

Do I think I'll ever be able to break that habit and communicate clearly? Probably not verbally. Maybe on paper if I have a good editor or the patience to look back over things once they're put out.

Winter Solstice 2008

Winter Solstice party was fun last night. A great group of people were here that we enjoy very much every time we see them. We had a smaller turnout than previous years, but really there were too many things going on within the same groups of people to expect as many. EAYC Gingerbread Trailer Park for one. SantaCon for another. And to some we live too far out of town now for them to come to our neck of the woods - a problem I have myself since moving here, that I'm too far away from the things I like.

We have a ton of home-made cookies that a friend brought and I never got around to putting out. I was bummed when I realized they weren't put out last night but it worked out for a sweet breakfast this morning, so I guess things shook out for the best.

To all who bowed out because of sniffles, etc., thanks for not sharing any possible diseases. Colds are killers in this household.

Today, I'm off to brunch at Diem with the usual suspects. Also need to find some hardware items while I'm out to hang some spiderplants that someone gave us last night. Theyr'e too much like grass to let the cat get near, and temperatures are going down into the 20's tonight.

And now, another cup of coffee and a peppermint sugar cookie.

cleansed

Monster saved the day on the trash problem by going out before I got up in the morning and emptying the bins into heavy duty bags and to take in his van to the dumpster where he works. I got up and all of the refuse had magically disappeared. He was willing to get shoulder deep in nasty to empty everything out - something I would never have done. So I guess I'm much more girlie than I think I am in the ick factor.

Garbage up to my ears

Rushing to get out of the house and to work this morning, I see the neighbors all have their trash bins at the curb.
Then at the top of my street, I see the truck picking up. Too late for me turn around and pull our already-full bins to the curb.
Next week, there will be no trash pickup to allow services employees to have a holiday, so today's extra pickup was an effort by the county to lessen the burden two weeks from now. I didn't not know there was an extra trash pickup today.
Two weeks from now, we will be up to our ears in trash, no doubt filling large bags in our carport.
This is making me crazy just thinking about it.

yeah.

Grooming

I'm taking Doris Cat in for her pedicure before the party on saturday.

Looking at my own grooming, I'm wondering if I should drop in at the insta-haircut place down the street tomorrow or if I should just go with the Ramones-style mop over the face for the weekend. Guess I'll have to wear really colorful lipstick to make up for the lack of eyes if I don't get a haircut.

Coffee Shop Etiquette: 15 Tips for the Wi-Fi Workforce

from Mighty Girl.

Never Mind the Bollocks

From: Stomp and Stammer
Date: Dec 10, 2008 10:40 PM
Subject: Atlanta: Rock 'n' Roll Movie Night This Sunday!

We're showing the live Sex Pistols thingy "There Will Always Be An England," plus the early '80s cult classic "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains"!

We're also giving away Sex Pistols T-shirts! They're basically the "Never Mind the Bollocks" cover on a T-shirt. Very cool! Cooler than the movies actually.
So come out and win one and be the coolest chimp in the zoo!

Beer specials courtesy of Red Brick Ale!

Decatur CD coupons for everyone who comes out!

Free popcorn if you get the munchies.


Sunday, Dec. 14
The Five Spot
1123 Euclid Ave.
in L5P

First movie at 8 pm!

-S&S

Everything's amazing. Nobody's happy.

shopping list

Shopping is what's rolling around in my head for this evening.

Planning to pick up a couple of new ornaments for this year's tree tonight. Maybe some garland too, if there is something nice in a large enough quantity - takes more than you'd think to cover a tree, just like lights.

There are only two people on my family holiday shopping list that I absolutely must find something for: my neice and nephew. Usually it's gift cards for them, at their age (he's 16, she's 18). This year I actually have a couple of themes to work with. For him, car accessories in UGA colors of Red or Black. He's sixteen, has his first car (an SUV with the back filled with speaker instead of cargo or passenger space). She's a college freshman and has a dorm room to decorate in similar colors of Red, White, Black. Still might be giving gift cards unless I see something really astounding or too weird (unique) to pass up. I am after all, in my family's eyes, the eccentric Auntie Jules. The kids, they're actually very conservative and preppy (excuse the antiquated term) but they actually seem more impressed by the unusual. Online shopping is the easiest because I can just have gifts sent straight to them since I never know when or if I'll see my family over the holidays.

Which Torchwood Character Are You? Your Result: Ianto Jones   You most resemble the team's composed, sarcastic general support. Passionate but excellent at hiding it under a reserved exterior, you care deeply about people and have a hard time letting go. The downside of keeping such a tight leash on your external emotions is that sometimes you lose control and have to let it all out. Competent and hard-working, you like to be on top of things.
Gwen Cooper
Toshiko Sato
Captain Jack Harkness
Owen Harper
Which Torchwood Character Are You? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Not as Goth as I used to be

You Are 68% Goth

You are clearly goth. Even if you don't consider yourself goth, other people do. Let's face it. You're a little moodier, darker, and weirder than most people. But that's okay. You enjoy being different, and you're proud of who you are. Many psychologists think that goths are more self aware and smarter than the average person!

Are You Goth?

better

Boss came in today and brought new and old jobs for me to work on so things were much better this afternoon. Like Santa got my letter. Or the boss read my blog. Same thing, in this case. I am so much happier when I'm busy. And boss stuck around for several hours, generating more work.


Good.

You do not get a trophy if you don't go bowling.

I am alone at work today. Boss has not even phoned in. No press man either. No emails. Only one client call, looking for a price quote, that only the boss can do.

Prop 8 - The Musical

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Emily the Strange is a rip off of a 1978 book character

Is Reger is giving Simont a percentage of the sales from Emily merchandise?

daily sin

Work is slow. I spend most of the time obsessively checking email to look for new jobs coming in from our existing clients. Boss is out of the office before 3pm most days. Today he was out by noon to fix what is probably an ISP internet emergency at home, where his wife is trying to telecommute.

I am counting the hours until I have to leave, a bit early today, to take Doris cat in to the vet because her asthma symptoms have returned.
I get a bit whacky when I'm this bored and unfulfilled. So I did the logical thing during a recession and personal finance crisis. I bought fifty bucks worth of holiday ornaments for our tree. Really cute ornaments in the form of robots and cameras.

Update: Half the ornaments ordered have been cancelled because the wre already out of stock. The website had them listed as still in stock when I placed the order. That's just how cool they were. The other website has already shipped my ornament. So, one really cool camera ornament and no cute robots ornaments, but more cash in pocket.

funny kid stuff

via Finslippy -


Your typical Sunday afternoon crazy dancing. from Alice Bradley on Vimeo.

on being thankful

Mom is continuing to recover from surgery at home and healing as she should - no complications so far. She's got food coming from friends and both of my uncles. Her best friend has been coming over to walk the dogs and change her bandages. Thankfully, she's being taken care of by folks who live close by and have time on their hands to be there.

All she wants for Thanksgiving is sleep and the freedom of spending the day in her jammies. No doubt my Uncle Ron will bring her leftovers from his wife's family gathering. My brother will be having his traditional gathering with his wifes's family.

I can't get Mr. Grumpy to commit to doing anything on Thanksgiving yet and by the time he's ready to, it will no doubt be too late. I am NOT going anywhere without giving hosts warning enough to plan for two more people and without contributing something. We have offers for joining in on Thanksgiving dinners with friends but I think he'd rather stay home and watch DVD's. I think he has lingering trauma from last year's holiday. Not that he'd admit that. I don't blame him. It was really hard on all of us last year.

We certainly have a lot to be thankful for this year - our continuing health and recovery. The health and recovery of those around us. And now employment with insurance benefits!

post-weekend update

Good news: My mother came home on Saturday with the help of my Uncle Ron, her oldest brother. My brother brought home made soup to her that evening. Her best friend came by Sunday to walk the dogs and change her bandages for her. Both of my uncles have now brought a ton of food for her so she can rest as much as possible without going out or preparing anything to eat. She feels much better and says she is healing well.

Bad news: Over the weekend, I've developed what feels like an awful UTI.

Good news: Phoned the doctor on call, who in turned phoned in an antibiotics prescription for me at my local pharmacy, and the drugs seem to be working since I'm already feeling much better. Slept most of yesterday, after starting the drugs.

Need to drink a lot more water.

MonsterMustDie is arguing with me about my preference for bottled water when I feel bad. I swear I feel noticeably better when I avoid ever filtered tap water. He says it's all the same as tap water. I think not all bottled water is created equal. I have no idea what the element is that causes me so much trouble with tap water. Maybe it's chlorine. Maybe it's something specific to Georgia source water.

Holidays

Next year, I think we should really gather funds together and plan a not-so-far-away vacation for the holiday weekends somewhere exotic, like Helen, Georgia, in a lodge-like hotel with a big fireplace that we can sip cocoa and read or make witty conversation in front of.

Advice about parties

"The host did all the work to give you this great party, your job as a guest is to make sure it's fun."

Seasonal Conflicts

What will I be doing for Thankgiving and Xmas? I have no idea.

Years ago, when the older generation gave up hosting the various holiday gatherings, the younger generation of my family let it drop like the garter at a wedding. No takers. Which is fine except that now, every year, I can't make holiday plans until the last minute because I worry about my mother spending the holidays alone. She sometimes gets an invitation from my uncle or my brother to join in in-laws family gatherings. She will not commit on her own plans until the last minute. This also prevents me from making reservations at a nice restaurant, joining friends holidays, etc. in advance. Monster's family gatherings depress him and all of them live at least a four-hour trip away so he'd rather not make plans in that direction.

Last year all holiday plans were made null by Monster having a stroke on Thanksgiving. He is almost completely recovered now, with hardly any sign of the events that nearly ended his time here.

Now, my mother is having elective back surgery on Thursday and she's not given me information on any useful details. Details like when her surgery is scheduled, at what hospital, who or what entity she has for after care, if any. I believe she likes to test me. I work at a job that is a 45 minute to hour drive away from her, for a company too small for ample vacation time or sick leave. I could schedule time off at my own cost if I knew well in advance so they could schedule the work to accommodate for my absence.

this weekend

Friday, we went to the opening of Art Not Ads art show benefit for the Grady School of the Arts. Several of the Grateful Gluttons were there and one of our own, Joey LaCascia, had artwork in the show. Afterwards, we hung out with Thomas, Chantelle, Debra, and Courtney at The Standard until I could not take the smoke any more.

Saturday, got a visit from Dixiegrrl and hubby, traveling from Athens GA to see Rancho de Weremonster for the first time. Went to dinner at Little Cuba in our neighborhood for a meal to please a gluten-free grrl and came back to the house for more of the home tour, photo albums, etc. along with home-made gluten-free brownies she made for us.

Today, MonsterMustDie join me at the GothFather's brunch. Oddly, our meals were good but we both had some heartburn afterwards. I wonder if anyone else at our table had similar issues today. We swung by Richard's Variety Store and Trader Joe's before heading back home. I spent the rest of the daylight raking and bagging leaves while the house Monster worked on his eBay sales.

Looking forward to all the future Holiday parties and gatherings lining the calendar now until NYE. What will we do after the first of January? Probably sleep. A lot. And maybe try to lose some post-holiday pounds. We'll be like bears hibernating.

Atlanta SantaCon 2008

This just in:

Atlanta Santacon - Vortex L5P - 6pm, 12-20-2008

A message from Santa himself -
*Atlanta SantaCon is December 20th starting at 6pm at the Vortex in Little 5 Points*

That's right kids, it's that
time again. SantaCon is coming!!! I've seen the pics from the last few years and have to say, Yall do it right!!!! Just to remind everyone, I have listed the rules for SantaCon again. There is no Santa in charge to call. If you can't show up for the start, get the phone number of someone who can help you catch up later.

1. AGAIN! Santa does not make children cry. Really - If you see kids, give them nice toys, candy, or something pleasant. Parents and Tourists are a different matter altogether -- adjust based on their attitude.

2. Santa dresses for all occasions. It's December. Smart Santas wear
multiple costume layers. Dress to maximize merriment whether singing
Christmas carols in the snow, or swinging from a stripper pole.

3. Santa doesn't whine! We will be outside alot and commuting mainly
on foot - bring enough "snacks" to keep your pie-hole filled until we
get indoors.

4. Bring gifts -- NAUGHTY gifts to give grown ups; NICE stuff to give
kids. Throwing coal at people is discouraged no matter who they are.
YES THAT INCLUDES POLITICIANS. But giving out coal is always ok?.

5. Watching Santa get drunk and obnoxious is fun. Babysitting Santa
while they vomit in an alley is not. Don't be that Santa.

6. Pay for your Beer and tip the bar staff, we want to be able to this
again. Bribery gets you everywhere! Also pay for your beer or drink as
soon as you get it. Other Santa?s get tired of waiting on Santa?s to
clear their tab before being able to move on. This entire adventure
should be a cash only. Credit Cards only take longer.

7. No Santa?s left behind. Don't go leaving one or two Santas in the
process. Santa doesn't like that. Pick a few people you know and keep an
eye out for them when it's time to move to the next location. If you
don't see them, speak up so everyone waits. Every Santa should have at
least 2-3 other Santas they look out for and that look out for them.
We don't want to leave someone in the bathroom and have them wandering
around looking for us. Santa is safer in numbers. What one Santa
couldn't get away with without getting questioned, 50 can. Stick
together Santa?s!

8. Memorize these answers to important questions that may arise:

* Who's in charge? "Santa"

* What organization are you with? "Santa"

* What are you protesting? "Nothing, Santa's having a party" (note: WE
ARE NOT PROTESTERS!! We'd need a permit for that - and something
serious to complain about...)

* How did you get here? "A sleigh and eight tiny reindeer"

* Where are you going next? "I'm only allowed to tell you if you wear
this hat and buy me a beer."

9. Dress the hell up! You don't have to dress as Santa proper. That's
BORING! Variations of Santa-ness are deeply appreciated, both by those
we bring joy to - as well as the other Santarchists! Variants of elves
or reindeer or what-have-you are fine as well!

10. "No blows below the belt. Keep it clean."

11. Please realize that this indeed is an event to have a hell of a
lot of fun, and of course, with the assistance of liquor. It's not,
however, an event to get shit-faced to the point that Santa?s end up
insulting, fighting, degrading, or being assholes to people that run
the places that we visit - or to the regular patrons that are there.
Remember, we're LUCKY that they let THIS many jackasses into their
places of business - and we'd like to keep coming back. Also, there is
no "bail fund" for incarcerated Santii - so you'll be on your own with
that, suckahs.

12. Santas that drink should make sure that they are also Santa?s
that can drive home, or make arrangements so that they don't need to.
This is a no-brainer, but alas, I feel it needs to be said. I don't
want any casualties. We need as many soldiers for "return tours", so
to speak. With mass transit being what it is in Atlanta, we suggest
bringing a designated driver and of course carpooling as much as
possible. The more Santii in each vehicle, the fewer individuals need
to remain dry.

Santa Do's and Don'ts

* DO address every Santa as Santa, in the first, second, and third
person, singular and plural.

* DO have something ready to hand out, even if it's just candy canes.

* DO many thorough soaks of your cleaning product containers before
storing liquor in them. (If you haven't already done so, it may be too
late to start now.) Santa's that want should bring flasks cleverly
disguised as pine-sol or windex bottles.

* DO be ready for new adventure at a moment's notice. Santa is like a
shark, and must keep moving in order to thrive.

* DO uphold the hallowed tradition of Never Washing the Suit.

* Let us not forget the sacred "four fucks":

- DON'T Fuck with Kids. I'm serious; this is supposed to be fun.
Holidays are unpleasant enough for kids these days. If we can't
brighten it at least we can be one less worry for them. If you see
kids, give them nice toys, candy, or something pleasant. Feel free to
hassle their parents though. Remember: The kids of today are the
weirdos of tomorrow.

- DON'T Fuck with Security. If they ask you to leave a store, get the
hell out and be nice about it, or other Santa's will take shit for it.
Besides, they might call the cops and then we have to deal with the
next fuck?.

- DON'T Fuck with Cops. If the cops tell you to do something, DO IT.
If you want to get busted, do it when you and I aren't dressed the same.

- DON'T Fuck with Santa and don't fuck with me or I'll puke on your
suit, you damned impostor.

* DON'T quote a web address!

* DON'T point out someone!

* DON'T give out a name (except Santa!)

* DON'T supply an e-mail address!

* DON'T hand out a phone number!

I'm sure this will be updated again, so keep checking back and Santa
will post more about this event as it gets closer.

www.santarchy.com/santacon-2008/

Keith Olbermann on California's Prop 8

high-fives

What's wrong with gay marriage?

If two people decide to build an entire life together, why does it have to be only a man a woman? Is a relationship only real if offspring are produced? If that's the case, we're totally screwed up.

Voted

Voted before work this morning. Long lines but not as bad as they could have been. Campaign workers did what they could to speed the plow, handing forms and pens to those in line. Most people brought books or magazines with them for the wait.

Back at the office, it's another really quiet day. Boss has already left for the day. Tomorrow, hopefully, things should be close to normal again.

I have a bottle of red wine opened and re-sealed last night and plan to roast vegetables and maybe some chicken tonight for dinner. What I cook just depends on what looks good at the market today.
Looking forward to a good meal that someone else cooks tomorrow.

I do not wish to have any TV or Radio tonight. I prefer to just know the facts in the morning. The anxiety of this election drives me crazy.

this week's agenda

After one big night of fun out with friends and one night of just not wanting to shut down early, I finally got a full night's sleep. I could probably use one good night's sleep, judging by how hard it is to stay alert at work today. This often changes as soon as I get home. You see, work has been very slow for quite a while now and the two days of the week that my office is at nearly a complete stand-still are Monday and Friday. Monday, most clients have too many things to catch up with from the weekend and things they dropped on Friday to deal with outside vendors like us. Fridays, most clients are too focused on just getting out of their own office to deal with us. So today, I'm nodding off at my desk despite having had a full night's sleep.

This is usually a good time to look ahead to the rest of this week. Tonight, I will attempt to get my "ducks in a row" and be set to get out and vote early before work. That means as much prep as possible so I don't have the opportunity to be distracted by too much while I'm trying to make it out the door. After work, I don't even want to watch the election returns. Just let me know what happened the next morning. Unless I am hanging out with friends and turning the news broadcast into a drinking, bingo, or drunken bingo game.

Wednesday, I can celebrate this election being over. Then, I'll be out to on the Buford Highway Restaurant Crawl with friends.

Thursday, sleeping as much as possible.

Friday, open to suggestions.
Saturday, open to suggestions.

Sunday, food making, packing, and going to the Goth Picnic.

Halloween

Monster reports that he appears to have caught whatever has been ailing the GothFather lately. I will be out on Halloween by myself.
Sadly, without his van to carry large things in, I will probably have to to out without my big skeleton puppet/costume.

But it is Halloween - my favorite holiday - so I will be doing something.
I am already obligated to at least make an appearance at the krewe's Halloween Costume Ball, which starts at 8pm, but after spending some time there I should be free to move on to other parties.

So I'm looking for someone to celebrate the night with since my sense of direction is horrible (I do get lost without a navigator sometimes) and going stag is just not as much fun.

Benefit for Oakland Cemetery

This sounds like fun:

You are invited to a decadent soirée at the marvelous Le Moulin Rouge at Paris on Ponce Antiques, Atlanta, GA on Tuesday, October 28th. San Francisco's wicked chanteuse/pianist Jill Tracy and enthralling violinist Paul Mercer, who is also performing with The Ghosts Project ensemble.

The evening will feature plenty of delicious edibles from a number of local caterers and restaurants, as well as beer, wine, cocktails and nonalcoholic drinks. I will be serving a special potion just for this event, a cocktail contributed by Ernest Hemingway to a 1935 recipe collection called "Death in the Afternoon": absinthe and champagne. Admittance is ALL AGES! Halloween costumes and elegant/gothic/dress up are encouraged to befit the decadent atmosphere. There will also be performances by members of the Dames Aflame Burlesque Dancers and the spectacularly bizarre Feed & Seed Marching Abominable. Prizes will be raffled off throughout the evening! We encourage you to come out and help rebuild one of Atlanta's most beautiful historical locations, which suffered tremendous damage during the tornado which struck downtown last spring. Tickets start at $35 (which includes food and drink tickets) up to $200 for "R.I.P." tables. There are only 200 tickets available, and tickets will not be sold at the door.

Tickets and info at: http://www.freewebs.com/amusicalseance/

Do they make inhalers that small?

Doris, our beloved kitty who is very happy to be bac home now, is diagnosed as having asthma. We are supposed to monitor her breathing and coughing carefully for the next month to gauge how often she might need to be medicated. Here's hoping that she can get by with an allergy shot every few months rather than a daily pill we have to get into her.

dark detecting jack-o'-lantern

A dark detecting circuit for your jack-o'-lantern
from Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories.

digging into the pocketses for kitty love

Monster had made arrangements at the vet for me to bring Ms. Doris Cat for a day of observation. As I dropped her off, they said she's also scheduled for a chest x-ray today. All this to find out why she has the long-existing hacking cough. I think it's a combination of her constant OCD-level grooming and allergies. She also needs teeth-cleaning and I wondered if I should have asked about that when they said chest x-ray. I assume she'll have to be anesthetised for the x-ray and it seems like they could do both while they've got her down, but I decided to let her have one medical trauma at a time.

Tonight - I'll probably try to catch up on sleep again unless I have a last-minute social invitation to join in. Not in the mood to go it alone with wet weather and slightly chilly temperatures.

Tomorrow will be spent running errands that include grocery buying and cooking something to bring to a potluck dinner saturday night. I'm thinking about making pumpkin stew and bringing coffee cups to serve it in.

Buford Highway Restaurant Crawl

We had the Buford Hwy Restaurant Crawl last night at Tofu House. Good eats at a cheap price that I could afford to do on a regular basis. Last night's group include moi, Mr. Foster, Nancy, and Heather. The only odd thing - order rice wine (which is quite good like a cross between sake and chardonnay) and you get a bottle big enough for three people. It's best to order one bottle at a time and multiple glasses to be set out. The dinner started out with multiple types of pickles and kim chi set out with a little fried fish for each person. We each chose different types of hot pots. My kimchi hot pot was quite good. Afterwards, we went together to the White Windmill bakery for tea and sweets.

Home Again

Finally back from NYC. Sadly, that metropolis and myself have a cursed relationship. I do not believe I will be returning again for many years, if at all. I'm sorry, New York. You're just not the one for me.

As a result of my trip, I am woefully behind on my two Halloween skeletons - so much so that I don't know if I can finish them in time for the L5P parade. This makes me feel incredibly useless.

That and, while I was out of town, my cat started becoming more and more lethargic. Last night, she was happy enough to see me to get up for a while but now she's just sleeping all day and not taking interest in food. I have to wait til tomorrow morning to take her in to the vet and I hope she's okay. Maybe I've gone full-blown neurotic obsessive over her well-being or maybe she's just a bit "puny". And this malady developed while I was out.

Time

There just doesn't seem to be enough time in the next two weeks for me. I am still unfinished on the two skeletons that I am constructing at home. The Halloween Parade the skeletons are being made for is a week from this Saturday. I really need this weekend to work on my Halloween but I'm flying out to NYC on a family trip tomorrow morning and will not return until late Monday evening. If ANYONE has time to come by Rancho de WereMonster and work on skeletons, please do. We also need a couple of extra marchers in the parade to wear skeletons, if anyone is interested.

After the parade day, everything will be a breeze. Gonna carve pumpkins, plan and help with the Halloween Costume Ball and, mostly, chill out and enjoy Autumn.

meat night

Last night, in the Buford Highway Restaurant Crawl, we went to the Red & Green Brazilian steakhouse. I stuck to drinks and desert while my dining partners sampled all kinds of parts from God's little creatures. I think MonsterMustDie really missed out on being my "carnivore" beard for the evening. Wednesday night was not crowded - we nearly had the place to ourselves. The place is huge, with a hot table featuring veggies like beans & rice, plantains, etc. and a standard cold salad bar.

Afterwards we meandered over to gawk at the karaoke bar next door's almost 80's decor and planned our next destination.

hello out there

MonsterMustDie got his CT Arteriogram today. Just a routine check up after his ordeal last year. The good part: Now he has health insurance to help with the costs. Hooray!! I'm glad he's now able to take care of the things we worried about so much earlier. Tomorrow, he talks to the good doctor about the results of his tests today.

Now, he's stretched out on the couch, watching his new "Ironman" DVD and dealing with a two-day-old headache. Stress, maybe? Or allergies? I just hope he feels better by morning.

The world seems to have dropped away today. I've been exceptionally out of touch with everthing and everyone in the outside world yesterday and today. Work is still slow but my job is still intact. I am glad to be gainfully employed. Friends of mine have been laid off recently. I'm also glad my own health is still pretty darned good.

Looking forward to Halloween and building giant skeleton puppets for the Halloween parade.

Tonight's dinner could have been leftover chicken and 'taters but ended up being homemade guacamole and chips.

Tomorrow's Buford Highway restaurant crawl may have been killed by the gas shortage. It's no problem for me, as it's my neighborhood, but I haven't heard from anyone who might be planning to join in. It's hard to plan anything that involves unnecessary travel and use of petrol these days. If you want to meet for dinner tomorrow evening, let me know.

L'shanah tovah to all celebrating the holidays this week. I hope the next year is a better one.

Sushi House Hayakawa

Last wednesday's Buford Highway restaurant was Sushi House Hayakawa.

Kisa's special eel roll was beautiful and deliciously fresh.















John's sushi plate had the shape of a ship of sorts, with a fish tail curving upward like a sail and red shrimp heads on either end.
I admit this is not the best angle to see it.







After the sushi was gone, the chef fried his fish and shrimp. It was the dish that kept giving.

trying to buy gas today

Me: Oh, now we'll be blocked in by the car in front of us.

Sandy: Not if the guy in front of us has any driving skills.

Monster: He ought to have driving skills - he's got a red cap.

Chaz: But it's not on backwards.

Happy Birthday to my pal Chaz Lounge. I hope you're having a good day.

more of the same

This is from Scottopic's blog.

I am an exceptional thief, Mrs. McClane.

Sep. 24th, 2008 | 06:10 pm

One thing is certain. If taxpayers do not share in the potential profits from a bailout, someone else will. On Tuesday, the Federal Reserve announced that it was relaxing rules that require investors who take large stakes in banks to submit to longstanding regulations on transparency and managerial control. Private equity firms have pushed for the changes because they would like to become big investors in beaten-down banks but do not want to be regulated.

Relaxing the rules invites more of the same type of opacity and risk-taking into banking that caused many of today’s financial problems. Politically, the Fed’s timing could not have been worse. Taxpayers are being asked to buy up banks’ junky assets, with little expectation of return. At the same time, private equity firms are being invited to make what are likely to be highly profitable investments in the same banks.

so far, this week

Friday night, while Monster continued to get his stuff together for the neighborhood yard sale (a task I'm not any help at), I went to the Vinophiles meeting at Lee's house . Always a good group of people. There was wine chat and a trivia contest on this month's theme wine - California Cabernet Savignon.

Saturday early morning and afternoon was the big yard sale, which ended up being very successful. Because of where the house sits, we never could have attempted to have a yard sale on our own but, as part of a large neighborhood-wide yard sale with ads and maps provided by the neighbors association, we had a lot of people come buy.
As soon as we had tables, price tags, etc. set up, I drove into town for a few very necessary errands and, after noticing my tank was near empty, discovered nearly EVERY station in town was completely out of fuel. I finally found a station with half its pumps still working - one that is out of the way in an industrial & office area that's not directly on any main street. Filled up and went directly back home to the yard sale.

Saturday night we left promptly after the yard sale and briefly freshening up to head to EAV for the Nick and Aud weenie roast and East Atlanta Strut festival.

Sunday morning, my plans to sleep in late were ruined by a cacophony outside that I've yet to identify. Maybe two large trucks colliding. Maybe something collapsing. Dunno.

Sunday afternoon, went to brunch with the Gothfather and friends.

Monday night, would have gotten to bed much earlier if it wasn't for the season premier of Heroes.

Today, work is at a stand still. Traffic was dreadful everywhere this morning. Pressman didn't come in. Boss left at noon and said he'd most likely telecommute tomorrow. I am in charge of a raging silence. I wish I could have planned ahead for the possibility of a slow day. Would have been great to scan old photos or go through some DVD tutorials or maybe brought some correspondence to work on. Clients aren't even calling on the phone today - which might be just as well. As bored as I am, I might be tempted to be too chatty.

awoken by groaning giants

Something very unfortunate, involving large objects and groaning steel, happened on Pleasantdale a few minutes ago, about 6:15 a.m.. So noisy it woke me up. The only thing I can see is blue flashy police lights coming in and the flash of what might be a large fire truck. Someone is yelling something over a speaker. Maybe a police officer.

Not so important to me, I know, because I never use Pleasantdale Road for anything myself and it's Sunday morning, so I don't have to be anywhere early.

Unfortunately I was up late-ish the last two nights and up early yesterday for the yardsale and errands, and now I wide awake. The sleep deficit will be awful on Monday.

Buford Highway restaurant crawl resumes

On wednesday, we went to Kimchi house. Nancy and John split the Sam GyubSal with hot pepper and garlic.

Porky Goodness.

Monster's bulgogi hot pot, which was an incredible collage of textures.

My kimchi jun - seafood pancake. Very mild tasting with an eggy texture.

Afterwards, we walked to White Windmill bakery for desert.
Wonderful fresh pastries, chocolates, tea and coffee.

The Change You Deserve

good Dooce

friday night

Missed Phobia... again.

but...

We spent much of the evening sitting on the floor of a friends empty living room. They bought a house just a couple of blocks from us in the neighborhood. They are still figuring out where their furniture will go, how to light things in rooms without overhead lighting, what they can presently afford to replace and what they will have to wait on. But it was one of those special spots of time, talking and planning and asking questions. They have two very young daughters who were sleeping in the room downstairs so we were also trying to be calm and quiet - not taking things apart to see what's underneath. The best part is the house is huge compared to their condo and the yard is in very good shape. Some ivy needs to be removed from the back but it's otherwise very clean and even. Lots of nice mysterious plantings in the flower garden to discover later too. Some I can identify for them now. Some that only time will tell. I always tell people to wait a year in a new place before making any serious changes outside. You don't know what you have until you've seen it in all four seasons.

DragonCon was fun.

Lots of good things happening this weekend.

Driving will be lousy but the destinations will be good.

Decatur Book Festival

Tasting Wine & BBQ Part III

DragonCon

Drive-Invasion

making love to the oracle

Just a bit tipsy from a couple of flu shots tonight. I have that odd ticklish stabby throat sensation again tonight.
We watched Mirror Mask on DVD tonight, which was excellent. It once again impressed me how there is not another film, to my knowledge, like it that so well is an illustration brought into life.
About the stinging sensation in my throat: it also occurs to me that, since MonsterMust Die' near-death experience, I will never look at what seems like a common cold the same way again. Ever. I will always look much more seriously at it.

8PM tonight - Urgh! A Music War - in L5P

From: Stomp and Stammer
Date: Aug 24, 2008 5:14 PM
Subject: Atlanta: Come to our FREE Rock Flick Night!

Body: We're debuting our monthly Rock 'n' Roll Movie Night at the Five Spot tonight. Come join us! We're gonna show a critically-acclaimed Joy Division doc from last year, and also 1981's great new wave multi-band concert film "Urgh! A Music War.
"

Free admission, free popcorn, beer specials from the kind Red Brick Ale folks, and everyone that attends gets a coupon good for discounts at Decatur CD!

It all starts at 8 o'clock. The Five Spot is at 1123 Euclid Ave. in Little Five Points.
See ya there!

- S&S

DeLorean Reborn

A Texas firm remakes the DeLorean.

Autumn in the air

Today is the first time this year that really feels like autumn to me. It is the combination of cooler air in the morning, overcast skies, and a few leaves floating downward with every breeze. This makes me happy deep inside. Autumn is always my favorite season - fall festivals, holidays, the autumn color palate, the fashions of cooler weather, temperatures within the comfort zone for most people. All of this traditionally in preparation for the winter hibernation.

Jackfruit

I do not think I will be trying to prepare a whole fresh jackfruit on my own, but this makes me want to try it. According to SeriousEats.com, it tastes like Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit chewing gum.

You have to love these guys.

Finally, he goes in for a checkup

Monster goes in to the doctor today for the first checkup he's had since he was released from the Hospital last November. He was supposed to go in three months after his surgery but he's been too afraid of the cost to make an appointment. Having his original prescription for meds expire made him phone the doctor's office for the first time. I can't make him do anything he doesn't want to do or doesn't believe is necessary. He seemed surprised that he had to be seen by the doctor to have his prescriptions renewed. I feel we're lucky his doctor chose to take him on despite having no health insurance.

He's been putting off going into a doctor's office for two reasons. He was waiting to be taken on as a full time employee with full benefits (including health insurance) by the company he's been working as an independent contractor for - and he wants to save money for a new car because the van he's driving seems too old to continue pouring money into. At this point the van needs a new radiator and the electrical system is shot.

The good news is that he's just become a salary man for the company he's working for. His benefits kick into action in September because all of the months he's been working for them are being taken into account and made retroactive. With that steady income coming in, perhaps he will not need a vehicle as large as the van any more because the professional scavenger business will not be as necessary. That means a smaller, much more fuel-efficient car to get around in.

We're on the verge of having a semi-regular life (fingers crossed).

treats

Met fun Lisa at the house to return her key, now that she's home. We fed and checked in on their cats while she had a week-long family vacation at the beach. She insisted on bringing treats to us for what was a very simple favor. I got a very nice bottle of merlot. Monstermustdie was presented with a bottle of Palmetto amber from Charleston, South Carolina. She also brought us a very nifty crystal skull.

I google you.

Murray is in Atlanta this week

Murray (a.k.a. "Baby Maurice" in the Bistro days) is in Atlanta this week, until Friday, and staying at Larry Riccio's house. With any luck, I'll be able to work in a visit with him and Larrue before he heads back to New Jersey.

bad kitty

Our neurotic (and alergic) grrrl cat scratched herself bloody this morning. Luckily, she allowed me to dab some kitty anesthetic on the spot, above her eye, and hasn't scratched it since. She won't let me near her chin, which is her usual scratching place. I guess below the nose, she smells the medication coming but above that spot she's not as likely to flinch.

She keeps fighting my attempts to make her pretty...

But, then again, if you're among the people who saw her as she was when she first staggered up to us then you'll know she's improved so much that she's hardly recognizable as the same cat.

F.Y.I.

So do day our neighbor came over and explained the recent history of the house we live in. When we signed the lease here, our landlord had said that the house was sold to a friend by the previous owner when her job moved out of state. This, according to the neighbors, is not true. In fact, the house was previously occupied by a couple, Jodie and Jeff, and their children. He became a meth use, went nuts, was arrested in Georgia, then arrested in Kentucky, where he's been in jail for a few years. She took the kids and moved out while he was in jail, leaving no forwarding address. Today, she phoned one of the neighbors to let them know her ex-husband was released from prison today. His mother is giving him money to get on his feet again and he is, no doubt, going to be knocking on our door looking for his wife and kids in a few days. In whatever condition he might be in now.
Oh, lovely. I've had more than my share of threatening psychos in this life. John has had little or no experience with these, umm... awkward, situations. He sees no true threat in this. I can guess a sea of possibilities and none of them, however small, will be pleasant.

Watchmen

03.06.09

:)

what I learned this week

One shot of Jägermeister in a PBR is called a Happy Meal - a popular drink in East Atlanta.

cost: 5 bucks

Satan's Ice Cream Truck

Goths eat ice cream too.

communication restored

Got my new cell phone in the mail from T-Mobile yesterday. They sent me the phone in "Heather Grape" rather than the "Purple" body I ordered but rather than wait for an exchange, I decided to accept this one. It's not as fun (vibrant) a color but as long as it's not pastel I'm okay with a more grown-up (muted) look.

Looking forward to eating Northern Indian food with friends tonight.

Vinophiles group is carrying on with their July meeting after all this Friday. Someone has volunteered their home in the final hour and the theme for this hot summer month is (not wine) Pale Ale. At the risk of sound too full of ourselves, I can't help but think MonsterMustDie had some influence in the decision for this month's theme. We hosted last month's meeting and while I joined in sampling several Oregon Pinot Gris brought by members, he sipped on his favorite brew and proclaimed the joys and variations and subtle differences in beers with his love of hoppy IPA's. Coincidence?

Some jokes get odd reactions at weird times.

must check the calendar

Is this a holiday?

So far, I'm the only one here at work today.
I got here this morning to find all of the lights off, no pressmen, and the boss has not be in yet either.
Is there an official holiday here that I was not informed of?
My dilapidated cell phone came apart yesterday so I decided to toss it in a recycle envelope and order a new phone. Thus, if there is something going on today, no one could have told me about it anyway unless they emailed me.
I suppose I could phone the boss at home, but then he might just tell me to go home (and not get paid for the hours lost) so I'm here keeping the lights on, answering the phone and checking the fax machine and email.

Post-Holiday Pause

It is a painfully slow day at work. No pressman is in today and the phones are still mostly silent from the holiday. I took my car in for routine maintentance this morning so I don't have the option of taking a long lunch to break up the day. Boss is busy catching up on paperwork and billing, so I believe his day isn't quite so monotonous.

I finally invested in a new camera this week. Still haven't taken the plunge for the flash and other additions for it but those can wait until I learn to use the camera well enough and have the lens and body paid off. Part of learning the camera is figuring out how to work around and through so many automated features and settings. Anyway, I should posting much better photos online soon, with much more prompt turnaround.

Other than the silece at work, I've had an active week.

Wednesday, I met Monster and his friends after work at the Bone Garden Cantina to celebrate Sam and Theresa's birthdays.

Thursday, I ended up unexpectedly in East Atlanta for the evening, which was probably much less expensive than my initial target of making it to a party at Trader Vic's that night. What started out as a quick stop before heading out to the birthday party for Rob (where my presence would have probably been lost as another face in the tiki-cocktail sipping crowd) ended up as an all night walk around the village with friends I haven't seen enough of lately.

Friday, July 4th, Monster and I went to a two-grill party at Daniel and Sam's house.

Saturday, Monster actually committed to going out late and meeting the late-night pals for dinner at Ru San's, where he actually had nori rolls and a shot of sake, before going to see Hancock. We almost had him joining everyone at Cafe Intermezzo afterwards, but he was spent by then. I was very happy to enjoy an evening out without having to leave him at home in front of the TV.

Sunday was spent sleeping in late before going to brunch with the GothFather in the afternoon.

homey

I wish to have a night at home this week watching comedy DVDs of Eddie Izzard and/or George Carlin.

Awake

Woke up at 5:30am. Wide awake. No chance of going back to sleep.
I believe, unless I find a long quiet project to get involved in, I'll be going to work early this morning.

Stephen Colbert and Cookie Monster

The interview you won't see on Sesame Street.

George Carlin is dead.

In one of his most famous routines, Carlin railed against euphemisms he said have become so widespread that no one can simply "die."

"'Older' sounds a little better than 'old,' doesn't it?," he said. "Sounds like it might even last a little longer. ... I'm getting old. And it's OK. Because thanks to our fear of death in this country I won't have to die � I'll 'pass away.' Or I'll 'expire,' like a magazine subscription. If it happens in the hospital they'll call it a 'terminal episode.' The insurance company will refer to it as 'negative patient care outcome.' And if it's the result of malpractice they'll say it was a 'therapeutic misadventure.'"


I will miss him.

nori dreams

I love hanging out with friends.
Even on school nights during the work week.
Then we does dinner.
You gotta eat anyway, right? So why not eat with fun, interesting people and go home in time for bed.
Tomorrow, I eats the fishes with friends.
Fresh, raw, tender fishes, wrapped in crispy seaweed and sticky rice.

mmmm... maki rolls...

TasteSpotting

They've done away with the best food blog site in the known universe.

Midsummer Night’s Dream theme party

THIS A ONE TIME ONLY MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM COSTUME PARTY

Who will be Oberon? Who be Titania? Or Puck?
And who will opt to make an ass out of themselves (Nick Bottom)? :D
The possibilities are many for some very colorful characters and woodland creatures and this is the perfect venue for that theme.

Hosted By: Berrak Pinar
When: Saturday Jun 21, 2008
at 10:00 PM
Where: LEBAM
1540 MONROE DR NE
Atlanta, GA 30324

It's a Costume Party but you are NOT obligated to come in costume.
BYOB
Doors at 10PM-3AM or longer
DJ 313 will be spinning your faves.

LeBam is located at the corner of Piedmont and Monroe Drive next to Caribou Coffee, across the street from Smith's Olde Bar.

Oh, my...

We'll be there.

R.I.P. Bo Diddley

Aww man... When it rains, it pours.

Bo Diddley, a founding father of rock 'n' roll, died Monday after months of ill health. He was 79.

http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=317054>1=7702

Stardust

Finally saw Stardust on DVD tonight with MonstermustDie. Wonder fairy tale. I can see that there is too much going on for some people to follow, as is the case with other movies I enjoyed like The Fountain. Definitely wish I'd seen it on the big screen now.

i gotz plague

All yesterday I was fighting sleep at work. Have noticed my belly is covered in some sort of rash - not all red or discolored in any way but a see of little dots. Got home from work, walked through the door and laid on the couch. Stayed passed out until 7:30 this morning, when I should have already been out the door to work.

Told Monstermustdie that maybe I have malaria - we do have lots of mosquitos here. He thinks not.
Then maybe I have rubella? He thinks not.
Could be lyme disease? Probably not. Have not seen any ticks on myself.

Whatever is going on, my body seems to be trying to fight off something and using a lot of energy in the process.

Otherwise, I'm fine. No aches. No fever.

Leftovers tonight

The beer is gone, but we have ton of corn on the cob and weiners from yesterday. I feel we must grill all of it tonight. Must find someone to help us eat it.

This should be interesting.

I just burned my upper lip on a hot burrito. I have never burned my lips before.
I know there is damage because of throbbing pain and that odd salty/iron taste of injury.

Memorial Day preceeding

Work is slow. I'm the last one here every day, finishing jobs and manning the phones.

We fell in love with the KVARNÖ bench and table at IKEA, which we just purchased and are now ready to invite friends here to enjoy the new outdoor furniture.

Memorial Day weekend is coming up and, as this is historically the number 1 weekend for auto fatalities, I think it would be better to spend it at home than battling traffic with all the road warriors out there. Monster might grill some kosher dogs and corn on the cob, since we saw some nice ears of corn showing up in the market last weekend. I think it would be good to buy a whole watermelon. I'm going to make some more lavender lemonade and maybe try an herb potato salad.

Is it summer yet? What I really want is margaritas with fried chicken because I see that as the classic summer afternoon combo.

sounds like Futurama to me

The week, so far

This past weekend, friends from California, in a group called Mutaytor, were in Atlanta for a corporate gig. Looking at the quick run-through rehearsal and soundcheck, it looked like a great show. Live band with three (3) percussionists, acrobats, dancers, actors, fire, some of it over and among the audience.

After visiting a very short time, I headed back home to get ready for Kisa_Bastet's grad celebration at Royal Fez. Good group of people. My legs did start to go numb sitting in the floor. Should have tried a better position.

Got up up early Monday morning to take Monster to his airport shuttle for the business trip to Las Vegas.

Yesterday was my last night with the house to myself before I pick the Monster
up at the airport today. I spent most of the evening doing household chores I haven't had time for earlier and will not have time for later in the week. I'm also enjoying sitcoms, something he does not go in for at all. I admit I like The Office, Two and a Half Men, Friends reruns and Everyone Loves Raymond is sooooo much like my family.

Tonight, no doubt, will be filled with laundry and looking at photos from Las Vegas. Hopefully, he remembers to photograph what he's been working on this week.

drying out

Monstermustdie's birthday party was fun, without too much cleaning time before bed. Thanks to all who came and made it through the unexpected flood of red mud in the front yard. The new neighbors next door have reshaped their yard, raising it all up to one level that now drains directly into our front yard.

Inside the house still looks cleaner than it has for months. The fridge is full of yummy leftovers.

Landlord is sending landscapers to the house Sunday morning to determine what can be done about the water running into the front yard. They're also planning to plant a border of Leyland Cypress around the back yard for additional privacy and sound barrier.

A strange lanky fellow came into our building today asking for money, who said he used to work for Art Laminating. He was tall and nervous and I was not in the mood to deal with him.

I still have the post-Dentist sinus infection / allergies / cold-like malady. Ready for it to be gone. Why does this happen every time I go to the dentist?

Looking forward to the weekend

Got Monster's birthday gift today at work. Now I can check that off my list. Still have to wrap it in an attractive style, after sneaking it into the house.
Tried to order a birthday cake but I couldn't get anyone on the phone in the bakery at both Publix and Kroger near us.
I'd appreciate any good cake bakery recommendations in the Doraville/Chamblee area or Midtown (where I still pick up my mail on Saturdays).
Now, I just need to get the house in order. This is one of the best parts of inviting people here - we both get motivated to clean and tidy things up here.

Monster's Birthday coming up

Monster is having his birthday on Monday. Thinking about having a few friends over to Rancho de WereMonster for very casual snax or dinner and a movie on Saturday.

What do you think?

lookalike

Does this German chick at fashion week in Paris look like me or not?
That is, except for the oh-so-80's outfit. Not me at all.

Hold on to your hat... and your jacket.

Looking at the weather forecast for the weekend.

Today, before the storms come, the high is predicted to be 78 degrees.
Then the cold air blows in and we get overnight lows in the 30's and a high on Monday of 48 degrees.

The difference between today and Monday is going to be not ten, not twenty, but thirty degrees colder! How wild is that?!

The green is gone.

I am officially giving up on gardening this year.

This morning, as I was showering, a crew arrived from a lawn service that our landlord had hired. This was a complete surprise to me. They sprayed the entire yard - lawn and all - with herbicide. They almost ignored the pinestraw and weed covered area that they were probably supposed to maintain if I hadn't pointed out, once I was dry and dressed, that was the only area that needs weed management of any sort. It's the only place we can't mow and rake. The obvious place. The only place we would not want anything bigger than a tree to live.

So now the struggling, spotty lawn is doused with chemicals, which means we will probably lose what we've planted and what little green we have, and we can't work in the yard until a few good rains have washed the chemicals on the grass into the soil. And we will not be spreading new grass seed, which can't germinate now, to fill in areas of bare ground.

On the positive side, I won't be spending as much time at home and MonsterMustDie will not have to bother with any yard work - what's the point?

Oh - we also have six bails of pinestraw and some landscape cloth on our back porch if anyone wants it.

had to share this

Dave Grohl in Esquire Nov. 2007 — “Anybody who has to focus on being real has a problem. It’s like having a panic attack over how you’re prone to panic attacks.”

Spent my tax refund today

With some extra money from MonsterMustDie, I bought this.

icky

So today I'm in my office and I hear something. Can't figure out where it's coming from.
Then I look down and at the wall and carpet and see foamy spatters on the wall and in the carpet, then up at the ceiling and see these icky stalagmites oozing out.
Something nasty - and foamy - is seeping out of the ceiling into my office. Next to my computer.
I have no idea what this stuff is.

he puffed out his chest and addressed the piranhas

Problems Solved by Incredible Hulk

What I learned this week.

If you roast peeps over an open flame, the sugar caramelizes and forms a crust, like creme brulee on a stick. :)

Spring is in the air.

Today is Purim and the first day of Spring.

Things are blooming, reproducing. My head is a spigot.

America's new subprime shanty-towns

I found this story on BoingBoing.net.

America's new subprime shanty-towns
Posted by Cory Doctorow, March 17, 2008 9:07 PM
In this chilling BBC clip, a newsteam ventures to one of LA's new shantytowns made up of people who've lost their homes in the subprime meltdown and now live in tents, improvised shacks or RVs on abandoned land. It's the contemporary Hooverville, and, as the Subliterate Cinephile notes, I wonder why I found out about this from the BBC and not US media.

this weekend

As usual, we slept through the tornado Friday night, or tried to. It was also a horribly noisy thunder storm all night into the early morning hours. No trees down on our street and no hail or other events to speak of other than rain and a lot of electricity in the air.

Saturday, we listened to the weather forecast and storm tracker reports during the day while running the usual morning errands. Saturday night, I had a lovely time with the girls at pitbullpotpie's house, watching movies, comparing breast sizes, talking about men, wearing pink and white bunny ears, drinking very sweet adult beverages whipped up by our hostess, eating Chinese food, and petting furry creatures.

Today, we cleaned house and received our first visit in the current pad from The Queen (my Mum). The cat hardly woke up to notice a new person in the house, sleeping stretched out in the sun most of the day. We walked around the house, showed her what we were up to, had lunch, and discussed gardening and cooking and my brother's family.

it's always something.

One day, I'll be healthy again.

I'm still a bit froggy in the chest from the cold I had a couple of weeks ago.
My tongue is still raw, sore, healing from raking across my teeth every time I coughed and from cuts by cough drops.
Just yesterday, I was cutting ivy off trees after work and got something in my eye that scratched it badly enough that it still hurts today.

I just can't seem to escape injury or illness this month.

*sigh*

Spring

The first day of Spring is offically Thursday, March 20, which is also the holiday of Purim. Easter is the following Sunday, March 23. Most people I know don't make much of Purim or of Easter, unless there are young children around.

I feel like having a small gathering of friends to celebrate Spring. Maybe something like a potluck brunch at our house, or tea at a favorite place.
What would be a good way to welcome in Spring on Saturday afternoon?

new GGBP (tm)

Monster came up with a brilliant idea for a home-warming gift for the GothFather. It would only be a matter of enough friends pooling cash together to purchase a very nice object that he has in mind.

Typewriters

Someone I know was desiring an old mechanical typewriter in good working condition and I happened to find some online at Three Potato Four.

this and that

We made it out for the first time in quite a while to UglyFish's birthday party at Thinking Man's Tavern , which had a huge group of friends and family of Mrs. Pyynk to show up. It was great to see a lot of people I had not been around for a while.

Today's, point of interest is that there is still a large pool of water in front of our house that is coming from the house next door. Looks like a broken pipe underground somewhere is the cause. I hope the moat across the driveway does not freeze overnight. That would make the morning a bigger than usual bother.

I need to visit my mother sometime soon. She's been a bit depressed lately and I haven't been to visit in a while. I need to come up with an agenda for a Sunday soon to do something with her - maybe check out a mall shop near her or go out to eat.

And now, I must get out of this house and take advantage of the remains of this clear sunny day.

still sick, but feeling better

The expensive cough medicine my doctor prescribed worked last night and I was finally able to get a night's sleep. About to turn in early tonight as well with a new dose of same medication. MonsterMustDie is feeling MUCH better - nearly normal - and is still planning on rising at OhGod! o'clock to go to the Scott Antique Show.

disease. suffering. pestilence.

MonsterMustDie is just now getting over his flu.

Friday, I developed a killer migrain headache that put me in bed immediately after work and disabled me completely all of Saturday. Today, the headache is gone, with just a slight touch of nausea left. Now I have a heavy ache in my chest that can only indicate building fluid and the start of an annoying cough.

Both of us are only couqhing moderately now. I am monitoring his right eye, which looked very bloodshot yesterday and had me fearing that he'd caught conjunctivitis at the Doc-in-a-Box (lots of sick children in that office). But today, the eye looks better so I guess it was unnecessary concern on my part.

Sounds good to me

Mellencamp, King musical set to haunt stage

NEW YORK (Billboard) - A long-gestating stage musical from rock musician John Mellencamp and horror author Stephen King will open in April 2009 at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre ahead of a possible Broadway run.

Mellencamp wrote the score for "Ghost Brothers of Darkland County," while King wrote the script.

The story, set in rural Mississippi in 1957, revolves around two brothers who hate each other. Their father takes them to a cabin where they used to vacation as children.

"What has happened is that the father had two older brothers who hated each other and killed each other in that cabin," Mellencamp said. "There's a confederacy of ghosts who also live in this house. The older (dead) brothers are there, and they speak to the audience, and they sing to the audience."

The production will be directed by Peter Askin ("Hedwig and the Angry Inch").

the night

The cat is following me all over the house, shouting at me in the tiny croaking voice she has.
Monster is already in bed for a while, running a fever of 102 degrees.
I am mindlessly twittering around online and waiting for sleep to come.

sick monster

First knitting class tonight went well. I hope I can retain and practice everything until next week's class.

Monster is sick with a flu-like (but not the flu) cold bug that the Doc-in-a-Box said is going around now and should only have a duration of 4-5 days. Let's hope he's well super-fast. I got home around 8:20 and he was already in bed, emitting higher than average BTU's.

still miss my dad sometimes

Although we did not have THE close father-daughter relationship I read about sometimes, and he often said the opposite of what I was expecting or needed to hear, I still quite often feel the absence of him. I miss being able to ask for his advice, good or bad but always honest, on important matters.

In the reverse, even these three years after his death, I feel frustrated and even a bit angry at things he set in place that still affect me and limit me. My brother and I were both kept on a short leash, which was both protective but very limiting.

Sometimes I miss my father's infuriating, but loving way of running things as "Don't even try. I've already taken care of everything. You'll just screw up. ".

I wonder if my brother's adjustment is much easier than mine, as I suspect it is, or if we are in a much more similar boat than I think.

He has a good education and I have always longed for a better education.

He is married to his perfect life partner with a large home and a family but he's never taken a step outside of the ties we grew up with and he has no very close friendships that I know of despite that fact. I have no family of my own and I will always struggle with my own finances - due more to my near-complete inability to make money more than poor management, but I have good friends who I adore and share infinite things with. I think I may enjoy the small things in life much more than he does as well.

He has so many good things in life but he always seems to have a pained look on his face.


... or maybe he just looks that way when he's around me...

problem solved

I have found a way (at home) to deal with sitting in a very uncomfortable hard chair in a cold office - sitting on a heating pad.

a call for help from a stranger

This from Neil Gaiman's journal today -

I was born and spent the first 2/3rds of my life in the UK, in a world in which health care was simply a human right. You got it, like an education, by virtue of being alive. And then I came to America and simply it isn't that way here, and, even after 16 years, that still keeps surprising me. (Every now and again I've told people who can't understand why from time to time I write movies, who say things like "You don't need to, you're a best-selling writer, you get paid more for a novel than for a film script," that it keeps my Writers Guild health insurance current, and I'm at least half serious.)

It's always hard to put up medical appeals, but Caitlín R. Kiernan needs financial help -- you can read about it at her journal, over at http://greygirlbeast.livejournal.com/428785.html.

final sock monkey line-up

These are the finished sock monkeys produced that night.
I made the little guy on the far left with the orange mohawk and goatee. He was the first sock monkey I've ever made.

Sock Monkey birthday party

Last week -
We gathered at the birthday boy's house and made sock monkeys for his birthday gift




While he fed us stuffed pizzas, banana cake and rum drinks.

I'm in need of stimulation

My hair is of a different, lighter, redder color today. I was a bit bored with myself this week. Last night, I was tired of what I saw in the mirror so before going out to eat, I pulled out some product that had been sitting in the closet for quite a while and decided to kick it up a notch.

Something to do for Valentine's Day? -

Orchid Daze: Gargoyles & Grace
Date: Saturday, January 26 - Sunday, March 30
Time: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Orchid Daze: Gargoyles & Grace heats up the winter months with dazzling displays of orchids in combination with antique urns, fountains, lanterns and architectural remnants such as gates and gargoyles.

Dine & Daze
Date: January 26 - March 30
Time: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Bring your dining receipt from ONE. midtown kitchen or TAP to the Atlanta Botanical Garden and receive two for one admission to Orchid Daze through March 30. Offer is good one per person, per receipt.

A special $25 dinner pre-fixe is available Sundays - Thursdays, February 3 - March 27 (excluding Valentine's Day) at both restaurants in honor of Orchid Daze.

Tiny Tim on Ironside

Tiny Tim performing in a beatnik club from the pilot episode of Ironside.

They should offer vegetarian school lunches

This will make you consider eliminating meat from your diet.

Tuesday

We made it to the EAYC last night. Got beaded. Ate dinner. Heard about the lastest krewe projects coming up - all of them sound delightful. Got seranaded by the Seed & Feed Marching Abominables.
Then home and to bed, all before 10pm.

The election returns are disappointing but not unexpected.

I fantasize about relocating to Canada or Europe.

Meanwhile, our pal who is originally from eastern Europe just got his citizenship this week - after twenty years residency - and was sporting his voter label last night. He is always much more optimistic about this country and the state of the world than we are and good for him. He is quite often the perspective-correction unit in the crowd.

The Sixth Element

Yes!

Friday projection

Due to a cock up with ComCast, we did not have the new communications service hooked up yesterday.
They've rescheduled with us now and we should be up and running again by this Friday.

wish I was at Disneyland tonight

28

I remember my next door neighbor, upon his 28th birthday, telling me that was the most common year for an unnatural death in young men. He noted Kurt Cobain and others who lived to 28. Fortunately, my neighbor was neither depressed, addicted, or over-stressed and is still doing quite well for himself in his own unique way.

But what an odd thing to note on your 28th birthday.

Does this mean we should keep an anxious eye on everyone we know between 27 and 29?

Guerrilla Gardening

What a great idea!

http://www.guerrillagardening.org/

Guerilla gardening, a form of garden vandalism where neglected parcels of land are taken over with veggie gardens or flower patches.

There is a similar movement in Japan where sidewalk and public spaces have been reclaimed by large groupings of potted plants and flowers, many arranged with the eye and care of traditional Japanese flower arrangements.

winter weather

Last night, it snowed, just a bit, or the first time this year. It started with just the lightest misting of tiny flakes and grew to a flurry of big fluffy clumps of soft snow. By this morning, it's nearly all gone. Just another wet, cold day, but it was fun to watch while it lasted. We made a fire and hung out downstairs with the cat for a while as the snow came down outside the windows and enjoyed our winter moment.

Today, it's business as usual - or almost. We have multiple equipment failures going on from an ink jet printer that's refusing to communicate with the RIP to a platemaker that's down.

Tonight - Indian food with friends.

Tomorrow - Trailerdome in L5P - the last one at the Star Bar.

Saturday - a friend's birthday party.

RIP: "Vampira," Maila Nurmi

This from BoingBoing -

With a heavy heart I deliver the sad news that our friend Maila Nurmi, famous for her portrayal of Vampira, has passed at age 86. Maila passed away peacefully in her sleep at home. Funeral arrangements are pending legal steps as Maila had no relatives. Her friends are trying to get her a spot at Hollywood Forever Cemetery and will likely plan some sort of hearse procession for her.

Food, Wine, Recovery

Monday, we watched one of the few shows we both enjoy that is not quite affected by the writer's strike - No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain.

Yesterday, we visited a friend who is homebound while recovering from back surgery. While she is limited in movement and still dealing with pain, she's quite active now. We just thought we'd come over and chat and maybe watch a DVD. Instead, she and her mother (who is visiting for six weeks during her recovery) cooked a great dinner for us and I discovered a new wine that I like a lot - Geyser Peak, another Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tonight, I would like to attempt to cook but there's never time. The hours we keep are slowly inching later and later into the evening. And someone is always starving and unable to wait for food at the end of the day. I'll work on coordinating this in the future, now that this year's festivities and ordeals are behind us.

missed the memo

I have been kicking myself since yesterday morning for missing Twistin' Tarantulas at the Star Bar on Saturday night. One of my favorite live bands of all time to see, with an amazing standup bass player. And what was I doing that night? Sitting at home with nothing to do worth staying awake for.

I hope they come back soon for another weekend show before going home.

post-holiday boredom

Already having post-holiday boredom.

Work is horribly slow for now. I think the printer server is dying too. That would make it a good time to check into backing up everything and putting in new equipment and software now, right? But I think we're on wait until work is busier and the machines crash completely.

Or maybe we can squeeze a bit more out of everything here.

I want to go out tonight but it's sooooo cold this week, I'd rather stay in next to the fire. But people and places I like are there - in the dark, cold, open world outside - where my fingers and feet go numb. What to do?

Happy New Year

I wish for health, prosperity, and happiness.

Last night, we had to cut short because one of us was feeling a bit under the weather, but we had a great time at friend's NYE party. Always a great group of people, good conversation, lots of delicious eats. Thank you for being such great hosts!

Today, we traveled to my mum's in Cobb County for the traditional family meal of greens, blackeyed peas, and roast pork (and some good fresh corn). Ate till we were bloated and sleepy. Played with her two westies. Came home and kibbled the cat and curled up on the sofa in front of the TV.

Now the temperature is dropping rapidly and the wind is howling outside. I can hear leaves and twigs pummeling the windows and roof. The weather channel says its going to be astonishingly cold tomorrow and the next day (but dry - no ice!). I think this will be a good week to enjoy the fireplace.